WHITE HOUSE

White House Keeps Mum on Request for Beer Recipe

Carney: "Not aware of any plans at this time to divulge the secret recipe."

Updated: August 23, 2012 | 5:01 p.m.
August 23, 2012 | 4:57 p.m.

President Obama has a beer with Mike Cunningham III (left) and another worker at the beer stand during a visit to the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 13. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The tea party was right: This is the most secretive White House in modern history—at least when it comes to beer recipes. By now, thousands of beer geeks across America have petitioned the White House to reveal the recipe for President Obama's White House Honey Ale, a honey-infused home brew that the president brought on the campaign trail in Iowa last week. Today, the determined beer lovers finally got a boost from the Fourth Estate, which questioned White House press secretary Jay Carney on the issue in the briefing room on Thursday, per the Washington Examiner's Charlie Spiering:

A reporter asked Jay Carney if the White House would release the “secret beer recipe” for their home-brewed Honey ale.... “I am not aware of any plans at this time to divulge the secret recipe,” Carney replied.

What are you hiding, Obama?

If you're not convinced that this issue has real momentum behind it, just look at the efforts of Brody Burks, the assistant district attorney of Limestone County, Texas. Burks filed a Freedom of Information Act request earlier this week and we caught up with him this afternoon asking him if he was frustrated by the White House's stonewalling. He responded:

Who wouldn't be? In an era of open government, it shouldn't take this level of media coverage to get a response. The White House likes to talk about the home brew, but only on their terms. 

Burks, who posted his FOIA request to Reddit, said he's a big supporter of the president's home-brewing predilection, but wants to see more transparency out of him:

President Obama has joined a great tradition of presidential brewing going back to George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Part of that tradition is helping other home brewers. It's past time for the White House to fulfill their obligations to home brewers and the country. There should be nothing to hide. Share the recipe!

The people have spoken, Mr. President. Will you answer?



Latest Politics Posts:
Loading feed...

Get the latest news and analysis delivered to your inbox. Sign up for National Journal's morning alert, Wake-Up Call, and afternoon newsletter, The Edge. Subscribe here.


Leave A Comment
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus
Follow National Journal
Related Content
Expert Opinions
Transportation Experts

Hands-Free Won't Cut It

June 18, 2013

Latest Response by Robert L. Darbelnet: Consider the Opportunity Before Us

Energy Experts

What's the Future of Electric Cars?

June 17, 2013

Latest Response by Phyllis Cuttino: TBD

Energy Experts

What's the Future of Electric Cars?

June 14, 2013

Latest Response by Brigham McCown: Electric Cars and Their Dirty Secret

More Expert Opinions »
Columns
Josh Kraushaar: Against the Grain

Why Democrats Are Already Jumping Aboard the Hillary Clinton Bandwagon

June 18, 2013
Claire McCaskill's endorsement was a bow to reality: Democrats don't want to challenge Clinton in 2016.
Charlie Cook: Off to the Races

No Guarantee of a GOP Senate Majority

June 17, 2013
The disproportionate exposure for the chamber’s Democrats is very clear. But can Republicans capitalize on their opportunities?
Ronald Brownstein: Political Connections

Why We Lack Good Privacy Guidelines

June 13, 2013
Technology innovations have served to strip away privacy. They could also be the key to restoring it.
More Columns »